KQED's Forum Child Sex Trafficking is a Big Problem in the Bay Area. How Can We Stop It?
Mar 11, 2026
Sharan Dhanoa, director tackling systemic vulnerabilities in trafficking. Aisha Mays, founder of Dream Youth Clinics providing youth-centered health services. Josh Singleton, lieutenant leading the DA’s human trafficking task force. Elizabeth Quiroz, survivor and co-founder of Redemption House Bay Area. They discuss prevalence in the Bay Area, grooming and online recruitment, law enforcement strategies, survivor support services, and prevention through community and youth-centered programs.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Survivor Account Of Grooming To Long Term Trafficking
- Elizabeth Quiroz described being groomed at 15 by a charming older man who lied about his age and promised protection and love.
- She was trafficked from 15–26, raped on San Francisco streets like Shotwell and Capp Street, and later drug-run into labor trafficking before her turning point at arresting and telling the truth to police.
Trafficking Is A Continuous Problem Not Just Event Driven
- Josh Singleton emphasized trafficking isn't tied to big events; juvenile commercial sex trafficking happens day in and day out.
- He stressed multidisciplinary collaboration—law enforcement, CPS, medical providers, advocates and nonprofits must coordinate for effective response.
Who Traffickers Target And Why
- Sharan Dhanoa listed core vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit: economic instability, unsafe families, substance use, foster care placement and marginalization.
- She highlighted disproportionate impact on Black, Native, LGBTQ and foster youth tied to systemic marginalization.